QNotes, April 3, 2020

April 3-16, 2020

qnotes

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inside this issue

April 3-16, 2020 Vol 34 No 25

connect

feature

goqnotes.com

8 Social Connectiveness at a Distance

news

contributors this issue

Mykah Buff, Rabbi Mark Cohn, Devin Green, Jack Kirven, Lainey Millen, Stanley Popovich, Chris Rudisill, Gregg Shapiro, Terri Schlichenmeyer, Trinity

front page

Graphic Design by Chris Rudisill Photography: chinnarach via Adobe Stock Mission:

The focus of QNotes is to serve the LGBTQ and straight ally communities of the Charlotte region, North Carolina and beyond, by featuring arts, entertainment, news and views content in print and online that directly enlightens, informs and engages the readers about LGBTQ life and social justice issues.

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The opinions of contributing writers and guest columnists do not necessarily represent the opinions of qnotes or its staff. qnotes accepts unsolicited editorial, but cannot take responsibility for its return. Editor reserves the right to accept and reject material as well as edit for clarity, brevity.

charlotteobserver.com/1166/ a local news partner of The Charlotte Observer

Transgender Youth Treatment Options

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The medical treatment options for transgender youth include both psychological and social therapies, in addition to measures taken to better align an individual’s physical exterior with their gender identity.

Primaries Continue in Midst of Pandemic Transgender Appeal CSE Grant News Briefs Tech Partnership Whitepaper’s Inclusion TurnOUT the Vote

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a&e 14 The Art of Love 14 10 Questions by Vic: Kit Williamson 16 Tell Trinity 17 Out in Print 18 ‘Moment’ by Moment

life 7 Essay: Transgender Youth 13 Transgender Youth Treatment Options 19 Our People:

Peyton-Namir Johnson

views 4 How to Stay Calm During an Unexpected Emergency 15 Spiritual Reflections: Passover: A Time for Understanding

events

12 COVID-19 and Entertainment

Dance Loud

Chicago-based queer electronic duo Dance Loud are romantically and creatively linked couple Kristin Sanchez and Desereé Fawn Zimmerman who each represent individually (and collectively) by each side on their newly released ‘Moments’ LP.

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April 3-16, 2020

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How To Stay Calm During An Unexpected Emergency Mental Health

BY Stanley Popovich | guest WRITER

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ou never know when a disaster may strike unexpectantly. Unfortunately, a person can become paralyzed by fear and anxiety to the point that they are unable to function or think clearly when something does happen.

As a result, here are some suggestions on how to stay calm and focused when a disaster occurs.

1. Take deep breaths: The key is not to panic when something does happen. Taking deep breaths will help you to reduce your anxiety and will help you to think more clearly when something does happen.

2. Think of something positive: After taking some deep breaths, the next step is to think of something positive. A person could say a prayer or think of their favorite vacation spot which will help to counter any negative thoughts.

3. Evaluate your surroundings: Once you calm down, be aware of what is going on around you. Try to find things near you that can help you get to safety. In addition, use common sense and good judgment in your decisions. For example, don’t stand by a window during a tornado, or, stay low to the ground when your building or home is on fire because smoke always rises.

4. Develop a plan to get to safety: After

evaluating your situation, try to come up with a strategy to get yourself to safety.

In addition, follow any safety advice from others if you have access to a radio or a cell phone.

5. Give yourself encouragement: As you make your way to safety, keep telling yourself that you will make it and that you will survive. In addition, continue thinking of something positive to reduce your anxieties. It is important that you do not panic as you make your way to safety.

6. Educate yourself on surviving a disaster: Talking to a mental health counselor is a great way of finding ways to manage your fears when a disaster strikes. If you live in an area that is prone to certain disasters, educate yourself on what you should do if something happens.

Being prepared could mean the difference between life and death. : : Stanley Popovich is the author of “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods.” For more information, visit managingfear.com.

news

Primaries continue in midst of pandemic Primary Watch: Joe Biden wins all three states on March 17

BY Mykah Buff | QNotes Staff Writer Starting with the Iowa caucuses which were held on Feb. 3, and the remaining primaries scheduled to continue into June, all 50 U.S. states and seven U.S. territories are meant to allocate delegates to the Democratic party’s candidates.

The candidate who receives the most delegates, not votes, determines who wins the Democratic nomination. These delegates are individuals selected by each state or district campaign whose purpose will be to represent them at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) scheduled to take place July 13-16 in Milwaukee, Wisc. Sixty percent of the delegates were to be decided following the March 17 primaries, and 90 percent of the total delegates to the convention will have been allocated after the primaries scheduled for April 28.

The process of the Democratic nomination continued on March 17 with three Democratic primaries and caucuses being held in Arizona, Florida and Illinois.

In the midst of the current crisis of the

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coronavirus (COVID-19), with the exception of Ohio postponing their primary, the Democratic primaries scheduled for March 17 took place. Former Vice President Joe Biden took all three primaries, with 41 percentage points in Florida, 28.4 percentage points in Illinois and 23.8 percentage points in Arizona, and winning at least 239 delegates compared to Bernie Sanders winning 102.

Following his wins of all three of the primaries held on March 17, Biden spoke from his Wilmington, Del. home, saying, “his campaign had a very good night,” and also spoke on the coronavirus crisis, telling Americans that, “it’s important to get through this crisis protecting both the public health and our democracy.”

At this time, it is unknown as to when the remaining primaries will be held. As Louisianna, whose primary was scheduled to take place on March 24, and Georgia, whose primary was scheduled to take place on April 4, have both postponed their contests. : :

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news Transgender woman appeals to America’s employers WASHINGTON, D.C. — On March 30, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, in partnership with the American Civil Liberties Union, released an open letter to America’s employers written by Aimee Stephens, the transgender woman who was fired because of her identity and whose case is now pending before the Supreme Court.

In the letter Stephens implored employers to take specific actions to improve the lives of transgender Americans. The ACLU argued Aimee Stephens’ case at the Supreme Court.

“The current pandemic does not mean that we de-prioritize the needs of our community,” said Deena Fidas, chief program and partnership officer at Out & Equal Workplace Advocates. “Transgender Americans do not have the luxury to de-prioritize their identities, their experiences, their fears, and their healthcare needs. Many business leaders understand this. They also understand that the choices that they make now to reinforce cultures of belonging will mean the difference between their business emerging whole or emerging divided and fractured.”

“Transgender people, particularly Black and Brown transgender women, already face alarming rates of discrimination in the workplace,” said Chase Strangio, deputy director for transgender justice with the ACLU LGBT & HIV Project. “At a time of unprecedented vulnerability and as nationwide unemployment rates soar, the Supreme Court must not open up the door to legalized discrimination under federal law. This will exacerbate already devastating rates of unemployment, lack of insurance and access to health care, and homelessness within the LGBTQ community. We need businesses to speak out against discrimination — not just at the Supreme Court but also U.S. Senate in support of the Equality Act, to state lawmakers who have introduced a record number of bills attacking transgender youth and within their ranks to ensure comprehensive protections for all employees.”

Stephens had worked for nearly six years as a funeral director. After she informed the funeral home’s owner that she was a transgender woman, her employer fired her, and the EEOC sued on her behalf. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Stephens’s employer engaged in unlawful sex discrimination when it fired her because she is transgender. The case was appealed to the Supreme Court. A decision by the Supreme Court is expected any day.

The letter was released one day ahead of the International Transgender Day of Visibility and can be viewed at outandequal.org/aimeestephens-letter-to-employers/. info: outandequal.org. Photo Credit: ACLU — Compiled by Lainey Millen

Trans Charlotte woman gunned down

A 34-year-old transgender woman and business owner from Dunn, N.C., Monika Diamond, was shot down in Charlotte, N.C. in front of local police while she was in the back of an ambulance where medics were attempting to keep her alive.

Diamond was being treated for shortness of breath.The incident took place in the parking lot of a Days Inn motel on Woodlawn Rd., LGBTQ Nation reported.

Prentice Bess has been arrested and charged with the murder. The case is being investigated. This murder becomes the fourth of violent death of a transgender or gender non-conforming individual in the U.S. this year.

info: bit.ly/2Ut8tiA.

Stonewall creates assistance fund

The board of directors of Stonewall Sports Charlotte has created the COVID-19 Grocery Assistance Fund. It is available for a limited time to assist the organization’s family members who have been hardest hit. The fund will provide a $250 Food Lion gift card to eligible individuals (limit one per person). Eligibility will be determined on a case-by-case basis in the order in which they are received. To be considered, one needs to be an active or previous Stonewall Sports Charlotte member and stopped employment (or furloughed) temporarily or permanently as a result of COVID-19 pandemic. Application is available online.

info: bit.ly/2yiJ5nf.

CSE announces COVID-19 rapid response grants ASHEVILLE, N.C. — As the nation confronts the significant and unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Campaign for Southern Equality (CSE) created a rapid response grant round to quickly route funds to individuals, families and community organizations across the LGBTQ South. The grant round of $25,0000 will be distributed through CSE’s Southern Equality Fund.

The South is home to an estimated 5.1 million LGBTQ adults. New research demonstrates that LGBTQ people are disproportionately vulnerable to the health risks of COVID-19, including members of the community being less likely to have health insurance than non-LGBTQ people. LGBTQ people include senior citizens, people with immune conditions and people with chronic disease and those groups at highest risk for serious cases of COVID-19. LGBTQ people are also first responders, health care providers and employees in the industries that have already been impacted by the economic downturn resulting from COVID-19.

Applications are now closed due to an overwhelming response and are based on three categories: Emergency Assistance for Individuals and Families: LGBTQ Southerners are able to apply for immediate financial support of $100. The easy application process is designed to route funds quickly to people already experiencing the health and financial impacts of the pandemic and its secondary consequences, with a focus on people and communities who are at particularly high risk.

Applicants can use the funding for basic needs like groceries, rent/mortgage payments, prescriptions or medical bills, prevention supplies, and more. CSE will distribute a total of $10,000 through emergency assistance grants. Gender Benders, a longtime partner of CSE, has donated $5,000 for these grants; the group serves transgender and gender diverse Southerners through support, resources, and activism.

Community Response Grants: Anyone can apply for a grant of up to $500 to fund a project to meet the needs of LGBTQ Southerners in response to COVID-19. Whether it’s a project focused on connecting LGBTQ elders with meals or tech assistance, an initiative to connect people virtually to build community, an effort to address mental health challenges that will be exacerbated by social distancing, or something else, we’re looking forward to reading applications and providing support as part of this $7,500 grant category. Learn more.

Frontline Grants to Direct Service Providers: Staff from the Campaign for Southern Equality will direct grants to frontline organizations that provide direct services to LGBTQ Southerners at high risk of being impacted by COVID-19. This $7,500 grant category will support at least three grants to community partners.

Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, executive director of the Campaign for Southern Equality, said: “In times of crisis, we know that LGBTQ people and other marginalized communities are at greater risk of experiencing increased disparities. We’re hopeful that this new infusion of funding to support individuals, families, and grassroots activists will be one way to provide immediate relief from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Southern Equality Fund has always been about responding to our community’s urgent needs while investing in the next generation of Southern LGBTQ organizers, and that’s what’s at the core of this COVID-19 grant round, too: Helping people who are hurting and encouraging innovation for grassroots action that makes a difference.”

Southern grassroots organizers working to promote equality, health, safety, and/or visibility of LGBTQ people in direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic can learn more about the Southern Equality Fund online. info: southernequality.org.

—Compiled by Lainey Millen

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Call for blood donation discrimination END

Due to COVID-19, there is a severe blood shortage according to the American Red Cross, the Seattle Times opined. Based on that there has been a request made to the FDA by “U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, 16 of her Democratic colleagues and Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders” to eliminate the homophobic policy. And, Instinct Magazine reported that a study shows that gay men who donate blood do not affect HIV risk, quoting AIDSMAP that stated that there has been zero increase in HIV infections since the U.S. lifted the lifetime ban on blood donation by gay and bisexual men.

info: bit.ly/2URYD8Y. bit.ly/3byPvNa.

OUT launches streaming classes

The OUT Foundation and OUTWOD have launched their #WerkFromHome daily online fitness classes for and by the LGBTQ community. Each week, two-three LGBTQ instructors from across the United States will lead classes and anyone can stream the class live for a small donation of $7. The schedule for each week is released on Sundays via OUTWOD’s Instagram, Facebook and website.

info: bit.ly/33XNnvX. bit.ly/2w1s9kr.

Healthcare online service available

HealthHIV announced the launch of TeleHealthHIV, a professional services program to increase access to and engagement in HIV care by helping organizations and providers implement telehealth programs. TeleHealthHIV provides education, training and capacity building assistance to health departments, non-profits, AIDS service organizations, community based organizations and health organizations to develop, implement or expand HIV prevention and care telehealth services.

info: healthhiv.org.

Technology partnership navigates digital work world NEW YORK, N.Y. — Out Leadership launched an expanded Out Leadership (OL) Cafe with the support of partner Ten Thousand Coffees, offering extended networking and talent development opportunities to members across the globe in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The platform matches professionals based on their career goals for conversation — all online. It is available across our more than 80 Out Leadership member firms, free until the end of 2020.

The Out Leadership Cafe is powered by Ten Thousand Coffees’ proprietary Smart Matching technology, that introduces members based on their interests and skillsets. The platform sends introduction emails, conversation starters, and captures data to curate the next introduction to the members’ preferences.

The move to remote work has been a major challenge for organizations, which is why OL was quick to expand the partnership. Keeping professionals engaged and focused on development is on the minds of all people leaders. Last year, Cigna reported that remote workers are more likely than non-remote workers to feel alone. Further, lonely workers say they are less engaged and less productive. It’s business-critical to provide professionals with the opportunity to network, build relationships and learn from one another to now, more than ever.

Out Leadership is ramped up in digital engagement after a successful pilot supporting 500 LGBTQ professionals, scaling the program to the 15 industries and 80 plus member firms where Out Leadership has a presence. CEO, Todd Sears said: “We know that when our members have connections and networks, they’re more successful and engaged. This program will help every member learn and share with others from around the world based on their mutual career goals and interests. Now that we’re all remote, it made sense to scale up this tried and true solution.”

Sears added, “Professionals are feeling anxious and isolated. Networking events have been canceled and meeting someone to connect over coffee is not as simple as it was 2 months ago.

We’ve had great success with the OutNEXT pilot and are now providing virtual ‘coffee chats’ to give members networking and learning opportunities no matter where they’re working.”

Pilot results showed that 95 percent of members built a new connection that was valuable to their current or future career; 2,670 developmental experiences were formed between OutNEXT pilot participants based on each members’ individual career goals and interests; and members were most interested in networking to share best practices, mentoring, expanding their network and furthering diversity and inclusion initiatives Dave Wilkin, founder, and CEO of Ten Thousand Coffees added: “Professionals rely on the water cooler or events to make the connections they need to succeed, these are now unavailable and postponed indefinitely. Our platform will provide OUT members with connectivity and virtual development experiences. No matter how far away people may feel, this solution will keep them building new relationships, sharing ideas and feeling connected. Making the OL Cafe available to everyone is a critical move now that the ‘water cooler moment’ is no longer.” info: bit.ly/2w1LJwW. — Compiled by Lainey Millen

Inclusion at center of whitepaper BURLINGTON, Vt. — Fuse, LLC released a new whitepaper (bit.ly/2xB3rrC) on gender inclusion and the importance to Gen Z. The fight for gender equity and against gender bias has been ramping up in recent years. Brands are being monitored and evaluated by Gen Z on how they are supporting the movement.

With 77 percent of Gen Z reported to rank brands that promote gender equity higher than those that are silent (bit.ly/2UJpfsW), marketers must prove their commitment to the issue. Gen Z isn’t motivated by an equality statement on a company’s website.

Rather, they’re asking for visible gender inclusion in the brand’s public communication and marketing.

In the TV and film industry there have been many calls for more inclusive representation both in front of and behind the camera, but the vocalization begins to stall in newer content spheres such as YouTube. Think with Google recently released a new study (bit.ly/33RTjqr) with the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, showing that brand YouTube videos achieved 30 percent more views when the characters were mostly women or the gender spectrum was balanced (Fuse noted that gender is not limited to just the binary definitions, but the reports they reference use the binary in their articles.). With such a significant difference between man-led and woman-led or gender equal content, we are continuing to see the demand for inclusion and representation.

The demand for inclusion is not only seen in viewership. Sixty-four percent of 13-54 year-olds noted taking some form of off-line action after seeing an inclusive ad, according to Ipsos and Think With Google (bit.ly/2Jqw6C6). With more representation of genders, the current gendered stereotypes that feel constricting and outdated are being left behind by Gen Z. In response, they are beginning to see truck commercials voiced over by women and home décor ads featuring men.

Harry’s Shave Company slipped some gender inclusivity into its 2019 campaign “Shave, or Don’t” with a transgender man shown shaving in the mirror alongside cisgender men (men assigned male at birth). If the viewer did not already know of the transition journey for transgender men, the model’s top surgery scars are easy to miss. There is no visual reference to gender, no rainbow flags draped in the background. This is the intersection of where inclusion is done for benefit of the audience, not to boost the company’s social activism perception.

Calvin Klein’s 2020 “DEAL WITH IT” campaign is another example of under-theradar gender inclusion as the brand announced Hunter Schafer as one of their newest #MyCalvins models. Schafer grew popular with her role on the hit show “Euphoria,” where she was one of 12 transgender women on cable TV in 2019, according to GLAAD’s “Where We Are on TV” report (bit.ly/2UvjgJr).

The beauty and personal care industries have had some of the largest adjustments towards marketing to a wider gender neutral audience, Fuse shared. The Ordinary, a skin care brand, uses medical-looking packaging for a simple, unisex look that can appeal to all.

The Ordinary does not use models in its marketing, instead leaning on its own employees to share the story of being passionate about one’s own skin.

In June 2019, Bic released a Made for YOU razor line marketed as “designed for anyone who wants to use it.” The brand reported 67 percent of 18-24 year-olds wanting gender neutral grooming products in their consumer feedback surveys, which spurred the idea of a new line with body positive-focused advertising. info: fusemarketing.com.

— Compiled by Lainey Millen

Essay: Transgender Youth Perspectives of a Young Teen about Living Authentically

BY Devin Green | Guest Contributor

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h, to be trans. Perpetually swimming in a rich gumbo of sweat, tears and the bitter blood of my breathless siblings. The candlelight services and balloon releases every November 20th shatter my sickly soul as I reflect on the crime that is to have a “girl brain” in a “boy body” housed in felonious ebony skin. The sentence, you might ask? The death penalty.

I watch men in suits on Capitol Hill deliberate on the value of our lives, deciding if we have the privilege of being treated like human beings but failing to realize that there just might be enough humanity to around.

And yet, still, we rise. We carry our blues and our pinks and our whites. We wave our rainbow flags in blissful defiance. We tell our truths as a gentle yet powerful middle finger to the oppressive and opposing observers with signs of promises of hellfire.

We refuse our labels of nothing but worms and gladly accept our rightful title of beautiful, bold butterflies. We take our baby siblings who believe that they are but a worm into our wide, warm wings so that they might, too, see that they were always a butterfly.

Oh, to be trans. Perpetually swimming in a rich gumbo of song and dance and parades. We are singers of marvel-

Warm wings, song, dance — to be trans. (Photo Credit: tainar via Adobe Stock) ous, melodious music. We are dancers who twirl to the beat of a different drum. We are surgeons stitching back the fabric of tattered lives. We are lawyers putting on trial the terrible trainwreck of systems that got us here. We are a beautiful and diverse people who stand arm in arm as

the family some of us never had and as the soldiers we always were. : : Devin Green is a 17-year-old transgender male living in Charlotte, N.C.

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Social Connectiveness at a Distance Time Out Youth Goes Virtual to Support Area Youth

By Chris Rudisill | QNOTES CONTRIBUTing Writer

Time Out Youth Center has launched a variety of online services, as well as shoring up others, to help their youth stay connected and served during the COVID-19 self-isolation mandate.

(Photo Credit: Time Out Youth Center)

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n its 39-year history, Time Out Youth Center (TOY) has, in one way or another, provided face-to-face support for area youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning. That all changed during the week of March 22, as Charlotte and Mecklenburg County joined the growing list of areas around the country under a “stay at home” order.

Beginning March 16, TOY had already moved all programs to virtual platforms, increased its cleaning procedures and limited on-site activity, having most of its eight member staff work remotely from home. Just as area leaders were announcing the March 17 proclamation for a “stay at home” order which would take effect on March 26 to combat the spread of COVID-19 in the community, qnotes was interviewing TOY’s Deputy Director O’Neale Atkinson about the recent changes. “This is unprecedented,” he said.

“Particularly, our ability to keep in contact with youth in this time has been, I feel like, really incredible.”

In a statement on its website later that afternoon, the organization announced that “in response to the Mecklenburg County shelter-at-home ordinance, Tthe center is not currently holding regular workday hours.” Like many other businesses and organizations around the country, the organization’s doors are closed now, unsure when they will reopen. “While we understand that methods of preventing an outbreak rely on physical distancing, we are being intentional about continuing to maintain social connections with LGBTQ youth and to offer vital support for our community,” continued the statement. “The health and wellness of our community are top priorities for Time Out Youth Center.”

Going Online

“One of the things I think that we are really, really good about is listening to our young people and adapting things to what they need or want programmatically,” said Atkinson. “Before all of this really came to a head, in January, one of our youth Ellie had reached out to me with this idea of doing a Discord server for Time Out Youth.”

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Discord is a free voice, video and text chat app for teens and adults ages 13 and up. It was originally created for gamers. According to the company, teens can join a chat they have been invited to or create private servers and invite their friends to play and discuss games by voice, text or video. The center now has a Discord server allowing youth to chat with one another and for staff to facilitate virtual drop-in spaces.

Time Out Youth created the program so that they could stay in contact with youth that could not always come into the center. “It has a lot of functionality,” said Atkinson.

“You can do voice chat. You can do text chat. We have one room where one person can be the assigned deejay and can play music, and everyone else can kind of hang in the room and listen to what’s playing.” Members have even used it recently to sync up and watch TV shows together. “It just allows you to connect in a really unique way.” Prior to COVID-19, TOY only had about 25-35 people on the server.

That number has grown to nearly 100 users in the last two weeks. Having the infrastructure in place ahead of the crisis allowed them to quickly navigate online programming.

According to Atkinson and the organization’s website, the server is moderated by center staff and interns, and to gain access youth must email TOY directly. “We have a lot of control over content that happens,” he says. “We have bots, like robots, that are built into the panel that can respond or react to certain things. So, let’s say if someone uses language that we wouldn’t allow here in the center, things that are inappropriate or harmful, it actually can mute those comments and give that person a warning.”

The system then notifies staff. It also is automated to “ping” the staff and provide immediate resources if someone mentions suicide or self-harm.

Another program available to area youth during the stay-at-home order is Q Chat Space. TOY is part of this national platform launched in 2018 that has proven to be a very useful tool in our current situation. “With Q Chat, we have seven days a week of structured programs that youth can access,” says Atkinson. The center’s staff

facilitate programs on two days a week (Wednesday and Thursday) while other organizations around the country provide programming on other days. “So far everything has pretty much been able to translate virtually, which I think is another benefit of us having been a part of Q Chat Space for the past three years.” The organization was part of developing and piloting the program along with Jasmyn in Jacksonville, Fla., LGBT Center Orange County in Santa Ana, Calif., The LGBTQ Center Long Beach in Long Beach, Calif., one-n-ten in Phoenix, Resource Center in Dallas and SMYAL in Washington. It is a collaboration of CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers, PFLAG and Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

“This is a time to really be creative and to be responsive,” says Atkinson. “I think all of us here are really on board with trying new things and figuring out what’s going to work to reach the most people.” Staff are regularly updating their website at timeoutyouth.org, or through social media platforms. The website also includes information on how to connect to both Discord and Q Chat Space.

The Time Out Youth program calendar is still pretty full with everything continuing except for physical drop-in space.

A Greater Impact

“We’re preparing that this might become, or need to become, a sustainable model for a while,” says Atkinson.

“I’m really hopeful that we’ll actually see more people online than we typically do in person in some of our groups like in Gaston County where we typically have lower attendance.”

The organization is embracing opportunities online to expand its programming beyond its physical location, and even beyond the current coronavirus. Charlotte is surrounded by rural areas and virtual safe spaces for LGBTQ young people have the potential to reach more youth who might not otherwise have the same access to support. “It’s see next page u

oftentimes those rural outlying communities where young people need this level of support,” says Atkinson.

TOY also provides needed housing case management to area youth. The center currently has six households in the Charlotte area receiving active services and on Tuesday, prior to the Mecklenburg County stay-at-home ordinance going into effect, staff were busy putting together groceries, gift cards and toiletries to deliver over the next two days. The center provided over $1,000 in financial assistance to clients currently in housing case management, in addition to groceries and toiletry items. Counseling and individual support services are also continuing through telehealth.

When asked what the biggest concern was, Atkinson pointed out the ability for youth to work is posing significant problems that might have long-term impact.

“We have a number of youth, for example, who had just gotten seasonal positions at the ballpark or other venues,” he says.

“With those places closing, that immediately impacts those folk’s ability to work.

Some of those people were potentially on a waiting list for a housing program that was going to require they have income.”

The center’s case management staff is also exploring options to help youth apply for unemployment and seek additional resources being provided by the state or through federal legislation.

But, what about its own staff? At this point, TOY has not had to furlough or cut back on its staffing. “That is our absolute goal — to be able to maintain our team,” says Atkinson. Staff continue to work on online programming, strategic planning and seek grant opportunities as they expect a downturn in individual donations brought on by the economic crash. As of press time, the center’s annual Gala had not yet been postponed. The event, scheduled for June 19, is the organization’s largest annual fundraiser. The center’s Queer Youth Prom scheduled for April 17 brings together nearly 500 youth from North and South Carolina annually and has been postponed, along with its GSA Summit scheduled for later in the month.

Atkinson points out that financial support is key right now for the organization.

While supplies like toiletries and food for clients is always helpful, right now the or-

ganization is limited in its ability to get that support to the people it serves.

A Changed World

We’ve all heard that COVID-19 is likely to be an event that will shape a generation. Its impact will reach well beyond the current medical or economic crisis we are all facing. In the end, it will likely have changed the way we think and even react with the world around us. “I don’t know if it will ever be business-as-usual,” says Atkinson. “I think the world will change as a result of this in a lot of ways, but when we are able to open our physical space again, my hope is that we will have taken this time as a team to make sure our space is even better and able to serve even more young people.”

One final thing. I asked Atkinson if he had any personal stories to share about the impact of COVID-19 on our community and here is what he had to say. “The importance of language and how we use language can really impact who we are and how we respond to things. We keep talking about social distancing, you know.

And for a community, like LGBTQ young people, that often feel incredibly isolated enough as it is, the idea of distancing ourselves socially even more can be really scary. This speaker (in a recent virtual conference) talked about reframing social distancing to physical distancing while emphasizing our social connectiveness. And, I don’t know, I think about the way that we as an organization, and me personally as a staff person of this organization, are moving forward in our work. While we might have to distance ourselves physically from the young people that we serve, from our volunteers and our community, that we are trying to be very intentional about fostering new ways for us all to be connected socially. And that’s why this opportunity to engage with people virtually is going to be a saving grace, or a saving element, of the work that we do and our ability to move forward. I don’t know — I want people to just, as we have to physically distance ourselves, to remember to check in on people, to remember that you still have community around you, even if we can’t be there physically.”

To learn more about Time Out Youth, visit timeoutyouth.org. : :

Prior to the stay-at-home ordinance being effective in Charlotte, N.C., Time Out Youth Center staff prepare packages for their housing case management households.

(Photo Credit: Time Out Youth Center)

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TurnOUT the Vote

How LGBTQ Organizations Have Mobilized the Community

By Chris Rudisill | QNOTES CONTRIBUTing Writer A report in MarketWatch grabbed attention across the queerosphere in early December with the headline “1 in 5 LGBTQ adults isn’t registered to vote, despite high 2020 stakes.” The story was based on the University of California, Los Angeles’ Williams Institute study that found 21 percent of LGBTQ adults are not registered to vote, compared to an estimated 17 percent of non-LGBTQ adults.

There are many factors from voter suppression efforts to voter-ID laws that target transgender people creating major barriers to equitable voting opportunity in our country. Add to that the personal frustration many have with a system that seems like it is too often built against them, and you will hear more than one friend, at least in your online universe, who refuses to participate in the election. I mean, why does it matter?

Let me start by saying that I’m an adamant proponent for democracy. I plan to vote in the upcoming 2020 election, and some would even label me a political junkie. I watch every debate and scour over data trying to glean some understanding of the myriad of exit polls and campaign strategies. In this short series, qnotes is hoping to look a bit deeper at stories that explore how LGBTQ organizations get people excited about voting, and how they are addressing that “1 in 5” headline, as our community truly comes face to face with possibly the most important election of our lifetime.

With the Williams Institute’s report in mind, almost nine million LGBTQ adults are eligible to vote next November, according to a poll conducted by Ipsos in collaboration with the Williams Institute and Thomson Reuters in late 2019. Half said they were Democrats, while 22 percent were independents and 15 percent were Republicans. The sample included 136 registered LGBTQ voters and 1,836 registered non-LGBTQ voters.

Some Background

The disputed presidential election of 1876 yielded the highest voter turnout of the eligible voting age population in American history. Rutherford B. Hayes beat Samuel J. Tilden by one electoral vote (185-184), with 81.8 percent voter turnout.

Historically, voter turnout in a presidential election did not drop below 50 percent until 1920, the first year that women had the freedom to exercise the right at the ballot box. Scholars theorize that a combination of the ongoing beliefs that it was inappropriate for women to vote and barriers including a literacy test, residency requirements and poll taxes kept turnout low, at the same time the number of eligible voters increased drastically.

LGBTQ politics first came into play in 1952 in the wake of McCarthyism and homophobia continued to fuel cam-

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LGBTQ voter registration and mobilization are still key to maintaining American democracy, especially during the current challenges of COVID-19 and Conservative Right posturing.

(Photo Credit: Rawpixel.com via Adobe Stock) paigns through the 1960s. Following the Stonewall Riots in New York in 1969, gays and lesbians began to insert themselves in presidential politics. According to LGBTQ historian David K. Johnson in a February article in The Washington Post, “the disastrous campaign of Democrat George McGovern was the first to court gay Americans.” Over the next 20 years, candidates would continue to try and lure the LGBTQ vote at the same time avoiding alienation of the vocal religious conservatives growing in the country.

According to Johnson, the 1992 Bill Clinton campaign “marked the first time that LGBT activists raised large sums of money for a presidential candidate.” Then, the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), signed

by Bill Clinton likely helped secure his reelection in 1996, despite obvious backlash from the LGBTQ community.

“The emergence of homosexuality and gay rights as explicit political issues over the past three decades and a clear polarization of party elites over LGB rights in employment (including in the military) and family recognition (civil unions, marriage, and adoption) made LGB identity politically salient by 2000,” according to a report in Politics & Policy by Gregory Lewis, Marc Rogers and Kenneth Sherrill. George W. Bush was fairly neutral on LGBTQ rights during his 2000 campaign, but Republicans used ballot initiatives barring same-sex marriage to spur turnout among conservative voters in 2004. The strategy likely helped Bush win reelection.

Non-profit LGBTQ organizations also started ramping up their resources to mobilize voters. In 2000, the Gill Foundation launched OutVote 2000, a

nonpartisan effort that encouraged voter participation by LGBTQ people and included field organizing, advertising, direct mail and phone banks, online activism and public opinion research. In 2004, the theme of the Human Right Campaign’s (HRC) National Coming Out Day was “Come Out. Speak Out. Vote,” and the Victory Fund, that works to increase the number of LGBTQ people in political office, touted major victories, having its most successful year to date. “Together, we are changing the face of government and ensuring the LGBT community, with all its talents and skills, has a strong voice in policy-making arenas and increased access within the halls of power,” wrote the organization’s leaders Cindy L. Abel, Scott Widmeyer and Bill Lewis. They invested $3 million dollars in LGBT candidates in 2004 alone.

Expanded efforts by LGBTQ organizations have continued to increase voter turnout in the past 20 years and this year’s presidential primaries saw its first viable gay candidate with Pete Buttigieg, who regularly scored in the top three of Democrats running for president and won the first-in-the-nation Iowa Caucus.

Record Numbers

“This presidential primary in every exit poll, in every state, shows one consistent trend: LGBTQ voters are fired up and turning out in record-high numbers,” read a recent email campaign from HRC’s National Press Secretary Lucas Acosta.

The first confirmed case of the coronavirus, COVID-19, in the United States was on Jan. 21. By Super Tuesday, there were over 100 coronavirus cases in the country and the number continues to grow exponentially.

Despite the growing concern of the virus, however, LGBTQ voters continued

in historic turnout at the polls, according to Acosta. CNN exit polling found that LGBTQ people represented an average of 9.4 percent of primary voters on Super Tuesday, and in early vote states like New Hampshire and South Carolina, the percentage of LGBTQ voters more than doubled from 2016. Even in states like Florida, whose primary was on March 17 when 6,300 people in the U.S. had been diagnosed with COVID-19, 8 percent of primary voters identified as LGBTQ. The state’s LGBTQ advocacy organization, Equality Florida, put out a statement “Election Day: Protect Your Health and Democracy” the day before, proposing safety measures but emphasizing the importance of the LGBTQ vote. “We have a huge election on the horizon,” read the statement. “And we must remain focused on advancing equality for ALL Floridians.”

A total of 12 states and Puerto Rico have now pushed back their presidential primaries with many taking place on June 2.

LGBTQ people may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19. A report by HRC recently pointed out that 17 percent of LGBTQ people lack health coverage and a disproportionate number of LGBTQ people work in restaurants or other industries heavily impacted by the virus. Alphonso David, executive director of HRC, said “As the world watches the spread of COVID-19, many of us, myself included, are concerned and afraid for ourselves and our loved ones. And that fear cannot be minimized. But it can be the basis for action.”

The organization has continued to increase its voter mobilization efforts this year, especially in key primary states. In November, they announced a fellowship program to energize young voters and activists in Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The fellows are trained on community organizing, communications, computer programs, digital marketing and political affairs.

“If we don’t vote, we are leaving our fate, and our rights, to be determined by someone else,” said David.

In this series, we’ll continue to examine what LGBTQ organizations have done, and are doing, to mobilize people to vote, and thereby changing the conversation around LGBTQ issues in political discourse. A recent poll of qnotes readers found that 88 percent feel they have been influenced by such campaigns.

We also want to make sure that our readers are engaged with both local and national politics. Due to COVID-19, our One Charlotte Celebration with Equality NC on March 15 was postponed. We hope to reschedule this program soon and will be looking at alternative options to engage with our readers virtually around this topic. To stay informed, sign up for our email list at goqnotes.com/subscribe. : : This project has been supported by the Solutions Journalism Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rigorous and compelling reporting about responses to social problems, http://solutionsjournalism.org

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COVID-19 and Entertainment The Importance of Being Virtually Connected

BY Jack Kirven | QNotes CONTRIBUTING WRITER

workers. There are many programs and apps that allow video conferencing, several of which are native to cell phones (e.g. FaceTime on Apple phones and computers). One ecause of the coronavirus that is suddenly taking off is called (COVID-19) and the vital imMarco Polo. This app is a video portance of social distancing (a messenger that allows people to concept that went from zero to 100 record their conversations and in two weeks), a vast array of live pick them up at will. If your friend interactions are now off-limits. It’s is talking real time, you can jump the only way to slow the inevitable right in. Otherwise you can reply progress of the virus as it burns its with your own video when it’s conway through the population. But venient. It’s rather like a combinapeople are still alive and raring to go. tion of WhatsApp and FaceTime, They have to be entertained. Human in that you can message anyone in beings need community. We literally the world who is on the app, but diminish or die when we cannot be you do it with video as opposed to with each other. text.

Suddenly the Internet has These examples are just the tip become even more important to of the iceberg. Nationally, many our playtime. Beyond video games, great symphony orchestras have chat apps, social media and video held their performances in empty streaming, practically every form halls. They perform as planned, of entertainment has gone almost but the event is recorded and then totally virtual. For now, all live events placed for free on sites like NPR. are cancelled. Sports had already The Philadelphia Philharmonic is an embraced a huge real time business example of this. National and intermodel decades ago, but now that Entertainment options, such as movies, concerts, live classes and more are available during the COVID-19 shelternational bands and pop stars are concept has spread. in-place directives. (Photo Credit: daviles via Adobe Stock) following suit. The Dave Matthews What does that look like? Here in Band will be performing in real our own region, there are club enterCarolina theater buffs need not miss out on their regutime, and Erykah Badu is offering tainers charging electronic admission larly scheduled events. Simply go to the sites in question, $1 e-tickets to see her sing real time in her bedroom. It’s fees to viewers who then watch real time performances navigate to their most recent updates, and stream prean excellent way for performers to connect even more streamed from the bars where patrons would normally recorded or real time performances. intimately with their audiences than they could live. see live shows. Clever local revelers have coined phrases Many people take group fitness classes, so fitness On the international scale, all these ideas can be like “Quarantini Party.” A large group of people join a is also a socializing opportunity. All gyms, private fitfound in major cities around the world. However, these group video chat, mix their favorite martinis, and socialize ness studios, pools, yoga studios and dance studios are group communal activities can also be spontaneous in real time while still being safe at home. That has been a closed. Rather than haul out their old copies of P90-X, eruptions of solidarity and beauty. Two recent examples: creative alternative to bar hopping. many Charlotteans are following a strategy similar to First, in Sienna, Italy, a man decided to live stream Friends are organizing group viewing parties for theater attendees. himself singing at full voice into the night. He opened streaming content. Right now titles like “Contagion,” Local yoga studios like Y2 at Cotswold and Khali in his window, began belting out the city’s historic anthem “Outbreak,” “The Walking Dead,” “A Quiet Place” and NoDa have pre-recorded and real time class options for and within moments all the people in the city joined him. other pandemic narratives are particularly popular. That their members to access via apps. Personal trainers had The people came together without being together. It was is helping to fill the need to go with friends to cinemas already been embracing virtual technology and apps, but truly spectacular to watch. Another amazing example of (which are also shuttered). Although many new titles for now their businesses all but depend on being able how people are using their technology to unite happened have been delayed, there are other tent pole movies to have real time sessions as opposed to live. A physical last night in Great Britain. All across Wales, England that have been released. This gives people an opporfitness trainer in Charlotte had three clients in different and Scotland (at the pre-appointed time), hundreds of tunity to simulate seeing a new flick with their favorite locations in one day. A swim coach in Matthews drills for thousands of people (perhaps millions) took a minute to people. his kids and wife. give their surgeons, doctors, nurses and administrators a As for theater outings, the Charlotte Ballet and the Virtual meetings for work have been becoming more long, grateful standing ovation. In this way, people have Charlotte Symphony Orchestra have followed examples in common and familiar in recent years, but currently found that they can remain virtually connected, even other cities where municipal arts organizations are putting telecommuting is practically the only option for office when they seem virtually disconnected. : : their performances onto their websites free of charge.

[Note to Reader: For the purposes of this article, “live” is in person, and “real time” is streamed digitally in progress.]

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Transgender youth treatment options A Look at What’s Available for the Young

BY Mykah Buff | QNotes Staff Writer

A transgender youth discusses medical and hormore treatment options with their doctor. (Photo Credit: Monkey Business via Adobe Stock)

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he medical treatment options for transgender youth include both psychological and social therapies, in addition to measures taken to better align an individual’s physical exterior with their gender identity.

And, while countless individuals from varying age groups have benefited from gender-affirming medical treatments, it is important to note that the umbrella-term transgender encompasses an array of gender identities; including but not limited to transexual, genderqueer, gender-variant, gender-expressive, and gender-expansive.

In 1979, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) published one of the earliest sets of clinical guidelines, “The Standards of Care for the Health of Transexual, Transgender, and Gender Nonconforming People” (WPATH-SOC), which provide clinical guidance outlining the recommended medical protocol intended to meet the healthcare needs of transexual, transgender, and gender non-conforming individuals.

WPATH said they drafted these guidelines to “ensure lasting personal comfort with the gendered self in order to maximize the overall psychological well-being and selffulfillment” of the transgender population. As the medical discipline that is transgender care advances, WPATH-SOC is periodically updated and revised.

In his article, “Gender Affirming Medical Care of Transgender Youth,” Stephen M. Rosenthal, M.D. said there has been a rising number of transgender and gender non-conforming youth seeking medical treatments in both the U.S., as well as other countries.

“The prevalence of transgender youth is not known,” said Rosenthal. “However, multidisciplinary clinics for transgender youth and adolescents in Europe and North America and some parts of Asia have seen a steadily increasing demand for services in recent years,” he added.

Stemming from the influx of transgender youth seeking medical treatments, suggested medical-treatment protocol for transgender youth has become an ever-growing

area of study. With a number of medical providers who specialize in this type of care conducting case studies and chronicling their research through the publication of medical journals, as well as various LGBTQ advocacy groups publishing literature on the subject. It provides a broader and more in-depth understanding of how to provide better, more informed care to transgender youth.

Social transitioning, the primary treatment commonly recommended for prepubescent youth, is a type of affirmative-care intervention for transgender youth that encourages them to present themselves in a way that feels most genuine to them. It may also include the use of a different name or pronouns aligned with their gender identity.

“Allow transgender youth to express their gender identity through their chosen attire, hairstyles, names, mannerisms and other physical presentations without punishment or ridicule,” said LGBTQ American civil rights organization Lamda Legal in their guide, “Working With Transgender Youth.” “Don’t assume that transgender youth are acting out when they express their gender identity. The clothing and personal style that an individual chooses are important aspects of self-expression. Support transgender youth in these choices and challenge restrictive policies that may not allow such freedom.”

As transgender youth approach puberty, they begin developing more pronounced features of a gender that feels foreign to them. This often results in the onset of a condition known as gender dysphoria, involving a conflict between an individual’s assigned gender-at-birth with the gender with which they identify with. This disorder typically leads to the development of a host of mental health issues that can potentially become life-threatening if not addressed. And while transgender youth may experience gender dysphoria prior to becoming pubescent, the symptoms tend to become much worse as an individual enters this stage of physical development.

In her article, “The Impact of Early Medical Treatment for Transgender Youth: Protocol for the Longitudinal, Observational Trans Youth Care Study,” Johanna OlsonKennedy, M.D. said the medical guidelines for transgender youth most commonly used today are aimed at treating the symptoms associated with gender dysphoria.

“Pharmacologic treatment recommendations vary depending on the age and developmental stage of youth with gender dysphoria,” said Olson-Kennedy. “For youth in the earliest stages of pubertal development, treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (a type of hormone blocker) is recommended to suppress endogenous puberty and avoid the development of undesired sex characteristics,” she added.

“Pubertal suppression, commonly known as puberty blockers, is used to delay the onset of puberty, and hormone therapy is used to promote gender-affirming physical changes,” The Trevor Project says.

Rosenthal said he credits the Dutch for the development of puberty blockers.

“The Dutch pioneered the use of what we call pubertal blockers, hormones that selectively, temporarily and reversibly turn off the hormones in the pituitary gland, whose role is to turn on the ovaries and testicles,” Rosenthal said. “Once these are secreting testosterone and estrogen, that’s what leads to all the physical changes,” he added.

The American Psychiatric Association says many transgender people who take feminizing or masculinizing hormones report improvement of emotions as their gender dysphoria lessens or resolves.

“Some adolescents seek help for further gender identity exploration, while others have an already established desire for physical-sex characteristics of the experienced gender,” said Anna van der Miesen, M.D. in her article, “Special Issues in Treating Adolescents With Gender Dysphoria.” : :

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The Art of Love Screen Savor

BY Gregg Shapiro | Guest Contributor

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considered to have the most hen gay actor turned stable relationship despite writer/director Mike regularly seeing a couples’ Doyle’s feature-length counselor, and Adam’s hesidebut played the festival circuit tance to get married. it went by the terrible title “Sell Cammy (the wonderBy.” Set for release this spring, ful Michelle Buteau), who the movie is now called “Almost has “dates with an endless Love” (Vertical Entertainment), parade of cautionary tales” is which we can all agree is also maintaining her record with very bad. Thankfully, the movie her latest beau, Henry (Colin itself is so much better than ‘Almost Love.’ (Photo Credit: Vertical Entertainment) Donnell), who reveals to her either of its names. that he is homeless. Haley Adam (out actor Scott Evans, (Zoe Chao), a tutor, is on the brink of sleeping with Scott younger brother of Chris) is a painter in New York. He (barely) James (Christopher Gray), one of her underage students. makes a living (by NYC standards) producing paintings for faElizabeth (Kate Walsh) and Damon (Chaz Lamar Shepherd) mous artist Ravella Brewer (Patricia Clarkson) whose signature had been together for 15 years, but Elizabeth’s aversion to at the bottom of each piece brings in an average of $100K. having kids puts their relationship in jeopardy.

Adam also makes a little money on a house upstate that he Before long, the cracks in the characters’ foundations inherited when his mother died, renting it out as an Airbnb. begin to show. Adam’s resistance to marrying Marklin has Adam and his boyfriend Marklin (out actor Augustus Prew) to do with his insecurity about making less money than have been together for five years. Marklin is a popular bloghim, a fact that doesn’t matter in the least to Marklin. ger/influencer whose The Detailist website has made him a fiJames’ romantic pursuit of Haley puts her in an awkward nancial success. In their circle of friends, Adam and Marklin are

position, especially since he didn’t get accepted to Brown University, insisting on sending in the college essay he wrote, instead of the carefully crafted one with which Haley helped him. Damon cheats on Elizabeth with a younger woman in the prime of her childbearing years.

In addition to all of this, Marklin has been visiting his ex-lover Karl (Chris Henry Coffey) in the hospital where he is in the end stages of an unnamed terminal illness. When this last, and perhaps most complex, secret is revealed to Adam, the future of his relationship with Marklin nears the breaking point.

Ensemble pieces, even one as intimate as “Almost Love,” are a risky proposition, but Doyle handles each of the four couples’ stories with grace and sensitivity. He strikes a nearperfect balance between comedy and drama. Fortunately for Doyle, the cast is more than up to the task with outstanding performances by Evans, Prew, Buteau and Chao.

Even the few minutes that Clarkson appears on screen are unforgettable. Additionally, the (unintentional?) nods to a classic gay movie such as “Parting Glances” (the tearful confession about loving an ex more than a current lover and the cathartic breaking of fragile items) also give “Almost Love” a boost above other similarly structured offerings.

Rating: A-

10 Questions by Vic: Featuring Kit Williamson Actor, Filmmaker, Writer, Producer

BY Vic Gerami | Guest Contributor

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t has been a long journey and years of perseverance for Kit Williamson to reach the pinnacle of success in Hollywood. He writes, produces and stars in Netflix’s hit show “EastSiders,” nominated for eight Emmy Awards and translated into more than 30 languages.

Kit was born and raised in Jackson, Miss. He left home at 16 to study acting and writing at Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. He began his career on Broadway in the Tony-nominated revival of “Talk Radio” with Liev Schreiber while a junior at Fordham University and went on to receive his MFA in playwriting from the University of California, Los Angeles.

This is the final season for “EastSiders,” so I chatted with Kit about the show, his plans and his big “country” secret.

VG: Modesty aside, how would you describe yourself?

KW: I’m an actor, a filmmaker, an internet person, a Mississippi expatriate and a queer propogandist.

VG: The fourth and final season of “EastSiders” is about to premiere, a show you wrote, directed and starred in. How does the anticipation of a new season premiere feel?

KW: It feels so amazing having people reach out from around the world, including from countries where being gay is illegal. It’s really rewarding, because I grew up in

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Mississippi, so I know firsthand the power of representation.

VG: When you started to create the show as a web series with a kickstarter campaign for YouTube, did you ever imagine that it would be this popular?

KW: We had no idea a web series could possibly reach these heights. Every milestone and every season have been a gift, because we have been genuinely surprised at how it’s continued to grow.

VG: What was that moment like when you learned about your Emmy Award nomination?

KW: The show being nominated for eight Emmy Awards was absolutely surreal; it’s hard to know how to respond because nothing like that had really happened to me before.

VG: What can we expect in this final season?

KW: The gayest wedding ever. Douglas (Willam) is planning on getting married in drag, in a dress patterned after the hankie code.

VG: Tell me about your fans when they recognize you in public.

KW: I love it when people say hi! I put this story out there because I wanted people to watch it, so it makes me happy whenever anyone tells me that they do.

Multi-talented Kit Williamson. (Photo Credit: Bobby Quillard)

VG: What do you think of Mayor Pete Buttigieg, the first openly gay presidential candidate?

KW: It’s a huge milestone. It just didn’t seem possible that we would have a gay candidate on the debate stage as recently as the last election.

VG: What does your next chapter look like? Do you have other project(s) coming up?

KW: Sure do! Gearing up to make some announcements soon. If you want a sneak peek at what’s next you can check out Patreon.Com/KitWilliamson.

VG: What artists (actors, directors, writers, etc.) would you like to work with that you haven’t done so yet?

KW: I have always said Parker Posey, because we’re both from Mississippi, and she is amazing.

VG: Tell me a secret-a good one!

KW: I mostly listen to country music. : : For more information, visit KitWilliamson.com.

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Passover: A Time for Understanding Spiritual Reflections

BY Rabbi Mark Cohn | Guest Contributor

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reflect one child more than another. assover is coming soon. The Here is a summary of the section first night is Wednesday, April of the four children: The wise one 8 (15th of Nisan on the Jewish asks about the laws and statutes calendar). Jews will gather around which God has commanded. We tables for a meal and a Seder answer this one’s question with all in which we will read from the sorts of Passover rules. The wicked Haggadah. Due to the coronavirus one says, “What is this service you pandemic and directives for shelare doing?” And then that child gets ter-in-place, some may even do in all sorts of trouble for using the this virtually, observing distancing word “you.” He seems to exclude guidelines where warranted. himself from the other seder-goers The Haggadah is a book conand the answer that comes back taining a specific order (seder) essentially says: by cutting yourself of blessings, rituals, and most out by saying “you” (as opposed to importantly: the telling (hagga“us”), then he would not have been dah) of our Exodus from Egypt.

Passover Seder. (Photo Credit: Inna via Adobe Stock) redeemed from Egypt with the Having been slaves, we were whole group. The simple one simply freed by God’s “outstretched wants to know what the night is about and the one who hand and wondrous deeds.” From that seminal tale of our doesn’t know to ask has no question, but the approach is to people’s history comes a host of ethical mitzvot (comstart telling that child the story from a basic level. mandments) which are to inform our daily living because I am impressed the wicked child asks a question, an “we were slaves in the land of Egypt.” act supremely valued by the rabbis and Jewish custom.

During the course of the seder, we come upon the “four However, his specific question is presumed wicked, and the children,” who are presented by the rabbis of old, the origianswer assumes he asked with an attitude of malevolence, nators of the Seder during the 1st-3rd centuries. The four lacking a sense of desire to be present at the Seder. As a children are: the wise, the wicked, the simple and the one child, I never wanted to read that part at the Seder, but I unable to ask. These four children are exceedingly different have come to understand the nuance of this question. My and often portrayed in artistic form to acknowledge the difheart has grown, at times, more sympathetic to the wicked ference — or sometimes, the similarity. Ultimately: the four child. And, now, I relish the chance to read this child’s words children are supposed to represent each of us, no matter our and ask my own questions to frame his words. age. We, depending on where we are in life, are all of those Did anyone ever ask him why he was so angry? four to some degree even though parts of our lives may

Q-mmunity

connections

Did anyone bother to realize he was asking because he may have been genuinely curious to hear from each of the participants — what the Seder means to them?

Maybe the response is so harsh to him because the person answering did not understand their own feelings toward the holiday and therefore lashed out and labeled his innocent question as “wicked.”

Over the course of the centuries, the four children have been depicted artistically in a myriad of ways. Various eras and regions of the world have shown the four children as young, old, abstract, religious, secular, brazen, kind, learned, unknowing, detached, devout, confused, curious, cruel, compassionate, approachable, distant, male, female and beyond binaries. To me, what matters most in the story of the four children? They are all present at the Seder. There is room for each child at the table. In fact, they are invited.

While some questions are handled more adeptly than others — as are the answers — what matters is the welcoming of each soul for who and how that soul is feeling and living in that moment. Some of our kids — and some of the adults — are wise, some are wicked, some are simple and some simply don’t know to ask. Each needs to learn. Each needs to be heard. Each needs to listen. Each needs to find their voice and work with fellow participants to formulate answers.

And so it is for us to make sure our communities are open to members of the LGBTQ community — ready to welcome, to sit, to ask, to listen, to express interest and to search for meaningful answers as we create solutions to the myriad of challenges that we face in our world today. May we do so in peace and in good health. : : Rabbi Mark Cohn is senior rabbi at Temple Emanuel in Winston-Salem, N.C.

space starting at $22: call qnotes for details 704.531.9988

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What Makes Grown-ups Grow Up? Tell Trinity

BY Trinity | CONTRIBUTING WRITER Hey Trinity, I slept with my best friend’s partner. It just happened! Now, the partner wants to do it again and is very persistent. Help!

Caught In A Triangle, Miami, FL Hey Caught In A Triangle, Here’s a little tale called “How GrownUps Deal with Life.” Grown ups mess up, make bad investments and occasionally they have an extramarital affair. But grown-ups do one thing different than children do; they learn from their mistakes!

That’s what makes grown-ups, grow up!

So, darling, if a married person asks you to be part of their extramarital affair a oneword answer is all you need, “No!” Sleep tight, Trinity Dearest Trinity, I really like this girl, so I call her and she calls me. But then she says, “You sometimes call too much.” So, I stop. Then she says, “You don’t call enough!” What am I doing wrong?

Confused, Detroit, MI Dearest Confused, In a relationship, sometimes you win and sometimes you… don’t win as much.

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Yet, as time passes, you learn better and better about how to play each other’s game. With life and love, always follow your instincts, practice patience, communicate to the best of your ability and when you’re confused, express that. And don’t get hooked on pills for anxiety. Lastly, pumpkin, never call when you have nothing to say, you’re in a hurry or you haven’t had your coffee yet. (Check out my cartoon for how I handle dating “best practices!”

And make sure that you sometimes do say “goodnight” so you aren’t hanging on the phone waiting for the other person to do the same. Most of all, don’t stay mired in total confusion. It will make you dizzy!)

Kisses, Trinity Hello Trinity, I just started going to the gym with a new guy I started dating, but it seems like what I wear is different than everyone else. I also think I’m being stared at. What’s up?

Gym 101, District of Columbia Hello Gym 101, If you’re forgetting that styles change and you must keep up with the times, then here’s how to fit into 2020. Sneakers, socks, shorts or sweat pants with a fitting T-shirt will fit you right in. Don’t let those socks be rolled up to your knees, (out of style since the ‘90s) or your T-shirt fit like a muumuu (out of style since the ‘80s).

Also, don’t let your shorts be way too tight (out of style since the ‘70s) or smell like a deodorant commercial (out of style since the ‘60s). Got the picture, honey?

Dear Trinity, Now that I’m single once again, I find that having one-night stands are not so uncommon. But I’m out of practice. Any ideas?

Yours, One Night Stand, Boston, MA Dear One Night Stand, I haven’t experienced a one-night stand in years, well, months, alright weeks… OK it’s been at least two sunsets and a booze cruise. So, sweetie, here are,

Trinity’s Fast Tips For Being An Excellent One-Night Stand 1. Be prepared for an overnight guest, just in case this one’s not like the rest.

2. You may be “Romeo of the Night,” but please, in the morning be just as polite!

3. If at 12 a.m. you suddenly start a bar crush, at 2 a.m. remember, you may have to rush.

4. Soft music, candles and a clean, comfortable bed promises more than just a peck on the forehead.

5. If on their skin you must leave a mess, then use a hot towel to wipe them off.

They deserve nothing less.

6. Keeping lubricants, contraceptives and hand towels close by, leaves a lot more time to moan and sigh.

7. If caught with a screamer, a moaner or even a yeller, use pillows, loud music or do it in the cellar!

8. If ever you’re thinking, “I’m not good enough,” act proud, have fun, even fake it just this once.

9. If it’s late at night and she’s too drunk to drive, her safety and well-being must be part of your sex drive.

10. W hen the bumping and grinding has reached a home run, a little hugging and caressing makes the evening much more fun. : : With a Masters of Divinity, Reverend Trinity hosted “Spiritually Speaking,” a weekly radio drama performed globally, and is now minister of sponsor, WIG: Wild Inspirational Gatherings, wigministries.org, Gay Spirituality for the Next Generation! Learn more at telltrinity.com. Send emails to: trinity@telltrinity.com.

‘Bodies and Barriers: Queer Activists on Health’ Out in Print

BY terri schlichenmeyer | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“Bodies and Barriers: Queer Activists on Health” edited by Adrian Shanker foreword by Rachel L. Levine, M.D. afterword by Kate Kendell ©2020, PM Press $20.00 208 pages

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ou woke up this morning feeling pretty good.

That was quite a relief: in these frightening, uncertain times, every day of wellness is a bonus — especially when you consider that healthcare for a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer patient can be different than what straight people require. Too bad healthcare providers don’t always know that. But read “Bodies and Barriers,” edited by Adrian Shanker, and you’ll feel more empowered to tell them.

If you were to look for books or articles that address healthcare issues for LGBTQ patients, you will likely find an abundance of it. The problem is, says Shanker, most of it was written by people who are not lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer.

“Every person providing care for humans is providing care for LGBT humans,” he says, but it’s time that “Our stories about our bodies” be told. And so here, they are...

For the youngest LGBTQ patients, physical and mental healthcare may be different than for their heterosexual peers, and it’s different than that which LGBTQ adults may need. Socially, for example, kids struggle with issues that adults are better-equipped to handle.

Parents, as one story indicates, can be the best allies of all.

Young adults likewise have issues that seem tied to their age and vulnerability.

Homelessness can exacerbate health issues (and vice versa); teens may suffer from depression, suicidal notions and bullying. Healthcare needs may extend to the dangers of “sex in the digital age” and a lack of maturity.

Because of their youth, LGBTQ teens also need help with learning “social service navigation.”

Habits such as alcohol and other addictions may be of issue to LGBTQ adults seeking good healthcare, but doctors sometimes don’t know what tests to ask for. They may be uninformed about caring for someone with bisexual or same-sex preferences, or who’s transitioned. They may have a “stigma” about HIV or be unaware of cancers that particularly plague LGBTQ individuals. As a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender adult, being your own, highly vocal advocate is key.

One thing is for certain: “Bodies and Barriers” is timely — not because COVID-19 treatment is based on sexuality but because other maladies that may arise are. And since healthcare is on your mind anyhow, this book is invaluable.

Through a series of variouslyauthored essays, broken into sections based on age, editor Adrian Shanker offers a chorus of voices that display a variety of viewpoints and frustrations that could perhaps ultimately teach healthcare workers a thing or two. Readers shouldn’t be surprised to note resignation in these stories, or the occasional bit of anger and outrage, but there are also plenty of essays that impart a calm but determined tone. It’s in these that an LGBTQ reader will find comfort, camaraderie, and a way to speak up.

Be forearmed with information and beware. Know how to demand from your doctor that which you need, and don’t leave without it. Wash your hands, don’t touch your face, and read “Bodies and Barriers.”

Having this book feels pretty good. : :

April 3-16, 2020

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‘Moment’ by Moment An Interview with Kristin and Desereé of Dance Loud

BY Gregg Shapiro | Guest Contributor

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here are two sides to every story and that holds true in the case of “The Moment” (danceloudmusic.com), the debut 180gram audiophile LP (also available via digital download) by Chicago-based queer electronic duo Dance Loud. Romantically and creatively linked, Kristin Sanchez and Desereé Fawn Zimmerman are each represented individually (and collectively) by a side on the LP. Like the best electronic music, the album features both up-tempo and down-tempo tunes, giving listeners the chance to work out and chill at their leisure. Also of note is the way that Dance Loud doesn’t hesitate to offer something to keep your brain as active as your body, as with the song “Dimes.” Kristin and Desereé were gracious enough to answer a few questions in advance of “The Moment’s” June 2020 release.

Gregg Shapiro: I’d like to begin by asking you to say something about the genesis of the name of your dance music duo, Dance Kristin Sanchez (left) and Desereé Fawn Zimmerman of Dance Loud Loud. Who came up with the name and why is it a good fit? one cicada was sitting in the parking lot away from the Desereé Fawn Zimmerman: Kristin used to forest and we were able to watch it as we were recording work at a children’s fitness center. She had a boss that had it. It was one of our most fond memories/moments while to tell a coworker that she had body odor. During a meetmaking this album. We are big fans of hiking and taking ing her boss told the coworker that she “smelled loud” and field recording with our Tascam. needed to do something about the smell. I thought it was a funny story and it was an inside joke between us. We GS: “Dimes” is not only a great dance song, but a powstarted describing everything as loud, (as in) “this tastes erful feminist statement. Please tell the readers about loud.” Finally, one day we said, “Dance Loud,” and it stuck. the inspiration for this song.

KS: The song is about being working class and stuck in GS: You just released your debut album “The Moment,” an endless loop where you have a dead end job, can be which is available in a limited vinyl edition. The LP has replaced easily, no growth, favoritism, treated as a robot or cool cover artwork featuring a speaker, with a changservant, and mathematically is almost impossible to escape ing 3D image in the center of a mirror ball bursting and/or have time to work on creativity. We chose these out of the dust cap. Please say something about the high stress part-time jobs in order to give us time to work concept. on music, but in the end we had barely any music written.

Kristin Sanchez: The cover art has two meanings. It is a We were always exhausted, and the work took all our brain speaker cone with a dented dust cap hiding behind a shiny space with no room for creativity. disco ball. We may appear shiny on the outside but have DFZ: This song hit very close to home for me being a burntbeen dented or damaged on the inside. The speaker itself out bartender for way too long. While tracking the vocals for represents “Loud” and the disco ball represents “Dance”, most of the songs, I was too insecure to have Kristin in the together making Dance Loud. room while singing. Coming from behind the drums to in front of the microphone was very scary for me. I cried while GS: What can you tell me about Dance Loud’s songwrittracking this song. It represented all my feelings of being ing process? overworked, underpaid and underappreciated. Never felt DFZ: Typically, the chord progression comes first, writlike any of my bosses really cared about their workers. If I’m ten on the guitar and sometimes converted to the piano/ making my boss millions why are they still heartless inside synths. I usually come up with the first basic notation and only treating us as robots? We have a soul and this while Kristin writes most of the lyrics. Everything is a joint song is about feeding that soul not just paying the bills. process throughout the entire songwriting. I’ll come up with a very basic layout and then Kristin comes in, chops GS: “Hear Me Out” sounds like a personal song. To it all up and makes it more fun. We take turns engineerwhom is the song addressed? ing it. Sometimes Kristin will scratch my ideas and come DFZ: This was the first song written on the album. We were up with better ones and vice versa. I am very anal about rear-ended by a semi (truck) on a highway, ripping apart keeping a clean work session within the DAW (Digital our hand-made tour bus and hospitalizing Kristin with Audio Workstation) while Kristin is a bit more messy like a over 15 broken bones for more than a month. We had just painter. If it were a painting, it would look like a little explogotten home from the hospital and Kristin was unable to sion on the canvas, but that’s how she gets her off kilter walk at that time. The accident stirred up a lot of bottled drum beats. We are very much opposites all around. emotions within me and the words for the song just came pouring out. The taste of death made us prioritize our GS: I grew up in Chicago and when I heard the cicadas goals to complete an album. “Hear Me Out” was a true on “Travel,” it brought me right back to childhood story about how we argued during the renovation of our summer nights. Please say something about incorpohome, about Kristin accepting a gig while we didn’t have rating the cicada’s song into that track. running water or a practice space. The night prior to the KS: We had the windows open while listening to the mix show, I went camping for a night alone, to gather my on the living room speakers and realized the sound of the thoughts. The song is about wanting to be with someone cicadas in the background was what was missing. We imfor the rest of your life, but sometimes you need time mediately packed up and went camping at Starved Rock to alone to heal, emotionally. The next day the show went specifically capture a clean recording of the cicadas withon and we ended up playing one of our best sets live. I felt out the city noise. It worked out perfectly and we figured there are a lot of songs that talk about being in love or goout it sounded best with just one cicada recorded about ing through heartache, but there are not many about the six feet away, instead of recording all the cicadas in the compromise between. As a side note, for “Hear Me Out” forest. All of them together sounded like white noise. That

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the crickets (you hear) in the beginning were a field recording from the last night we were on tour in our hand-crafted tour bus, Precious. That’s why we put it in the song, it’s another cherished moment.

KS: I wasn’t physically ready to start making music right out of the hospital. Us not knowing our financial forecast built a lot of pressure in Desereé to hurry up and start writing. I feel this money pressure brought up the last financial situation when we were rehabbing on a tight budget. Desereé was fearing the moment she would have to go back to bartending, which could be suicidal for her.

GS: Being in Chicago, the birthplace of House Music, how much would you say that that genre is an influence on your sound?

KS: House is the main influence for our music. It’s structured the way house music is typically written, but we often replace the bouncy high hats with jazzy sounding ride cymbals. It is also structured for DJs to spin while keeping it somewhat close to a radio edit, like pop music. Deseree’s metal head kick drums were to make the typical four-on-the-floor house kick more intricate. We use cinematic intros influenced by Hans Zimmer and Deadmau5. [My being] born in inner city Chicago, that vibe is shown on side A. You can hear the attitude that Chicago house music portrays in most of the songs from the 90’s. Deseree’s B-side is slower and more emotional with her being from a small Midwestern farming town.

GS: Chicago has a long history of prominent lesbian DJs, including DJ Psycho Bitch and Teri Bristol. Would you consider Val or Teri to be influences on what you do?

KS: I wasn’t able to get into Crobar and Red Dog because I was too young. I used to stand outside of those clubs and dance on the streets. I do feel that the Chicago women DJs were role models for me. Other DJs like Colette, DJ Heather, Lady D and Dayhota were huge influences of mine. We were really happy when the day came that we shared a show with Teri Bristol.

GS: What role, if any, did music play in bringing the two of you together as a couple?

DFZ: I met Kristin at first in a club called Circuit where she was breakdancing in front of me. Nervously, I walked up and asked her name. Every question I asked had oneword answers from her and I felt she was not interested.

That following Monday we ran into each other at school (Columbia College Chicago, where Kristin studied Audio Engineering and I went for Music Business), outside of the elevator. We had classes right next to each other and didn’t know it. Finally, we ran into each other again and Kristin asked me if I wanted to go to a 4 a.m. bar called Exit. When I got into her Jeep, she had her own song, “Take Me Home,” playing. I melted when hearing her production and thought, “OMG! I’m a musician and she’s an audio engineer. We are meant to be!”

GS: Which came first — your romantic or creative partnership?

KS: Romance came first. We started performing together by accident when Desereé jumped on the drums during my set to warm up for the following act. The crowd loved it. We were originally a romantic couple and event producers creating art events. With Desereé being a music business major, we were acting out her business plan.

see Moments on 19

life

Our People: Peyton-Namir Johnson Son, Friend, Producer

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eyton-Namir Johnson, 20, is doing his part in the LGBTQ community by serving on Time Out Youth Center’s (TOY) Youth Senate leadership team, whose primary purpose is to ensure that the center’s youth have a platform to share their ideas and to voice any concerns they may have. As a member of the Youth Senate, Johnson and his counterparts are responsible for various administrative tasks as well as serving as a liaison between the youth and the Board of Directors at TOY. TOY Deputy Director O’Neal Atkinson said Johnson has taken charge of his position by empowering the youth and ensuring that their voices are always being well heard.

“Peyton’s presence and the contributions he makes an impact so many parts of the work we do at TOY,” said Atkinson.

“He is an amazing human and truly represents to me how powerful and resilient the LGBTQ youth today truly are,” he added.

A recent project in the works of Johnson’s is a collaborative effort with Time Out Youth Student Advocacy Coordinator Haeley Rimmer to develop a plan to work with the gender-sexuality alliance of schools predominantly comprised of students of color to ensure that the LGBTQ youth at these institutions are made aware of the resources and services that are available to them.

How did you come to be a member of the Youth Senate at TOY? I wanted to bring about growth and change within the center that would withstand for years to come. And the best way for me to be able to do that was to join the Youth Senate where my voice could be heard.

Where did you complete your high-school education?

How would you describe the general attitude toward LGBTQ students at this institution?

I graduated from West Mecklenburg High School, and my experience there was okay. When I began my transition, the staff and teachers were okay with me using a different name and masculine pronouns. Most of the [LGBTQ] students were lesbian and gay, but few were transgender guys, like me. Other than that, it was fine.

BY Mykah Buff | QNotes Staff Writer What are some of your educational aspirations?

I aspire to be a couple of things. A motivational speaker, an entertainer, an author and just an allaround producer.

What is your dream job?

My dream job would be to travel the world talking to younger LGBTQ youth who feel defeated. I want them to know that anything is possible. Just remember that if others can do it, so can you.

Aside from your active involvement and leadership roles at TOY, do you participate in any other extracurricular activities?

I played rugby for a while and dabbled in acting and modeling. I have a nice face, but my brain is beautiful.

What are some of your favorite hobbies or pastimes?

Some of my favorite hobbies are being in nature, reading books and painting.

What’s your favorite color?

My favorite colors are white, red and black.

What has your experience been like as an openlytransgender youth living in Charlotte, North Carolina?

For me, I pass very well and a lot of people are surprised when I tell them that I’m transgender. My transition started out rough because North Carolina has so many laws against transgender people, in general. Being a transgender youth makes everything harder, especially when your parents aren’t fighting for your ability to be authentic and to stay true to yourself.

What challenges have you faced since beginning your transition, early on as well as most recently?

Some challenges I’ve faced and are still facing is changing my legal name and gender marker on my identification card. Transitioning is very difficult and requires a lot of financial support and years of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and counseling.

What advice can you offer individuals who are considering transitioning?

Learn that this is your transition, this is for you and only you. Do what makes you happy, because when you die, you’re the only one who’s going to be in your casket.

Nobody else. To transgender youth who are still living with their parents, just breathe, it will get better. If you need support, speak up.“ Closed mouths don’t get fed.” Don’t be afraid to be you.

Can you describe how your transition has helped alleviate your symptoms of dysphoria?

Honestly, hormones helped me the most. I didn’t like the soft-feminine features in my face even after I began taking hormones. When my beard started to grow that’s when I knew I wasn’t going to be misgendered anymore. In society when you transition you become very aware of your body: how you sit, how you act and even how you stand.

The world is watching to make sure you’re the perfect standard of normal. My chest-binder could shift the wrong way and a cisgender man might notice immediately and question whether or not I was a man.

Several U.S. states, including North Carolina’s neighboring state, South Carolina, have recently proposed a law, which if passed, will prevent transgender youth from receiving gender-affirming care. What are your thoughts on this? What kind of impact do you think it will have on the affected transgender youth?

It baffles me how society wants us to blend in but won’t give us the necessary tools to do that. If I can’t get my hormones, how am I supposed to please you? The government really stresses me out when they make laws against transgender people for no damn reason. Like the impact on younger youth and traumatizing them at a young age because they can’t be true to themselves is unbelievable.

How am I supposed to tell a little kid that they can’t transition because the government thinks their feelings are bullshit and that they’re scared of you? When the bathroom bill (HB2) in North Carolina was introduced, I never went into the women’s bathroom. Why would I? It might say F (female) on my identification card, but when you see me it’s me because that’s how I identify. We already have several hoops to jump through, why make things even more difficult?

Can you describe your use of he/them pronouns?

I use he/they pronouns because they feel right, I’m a dude but sometimes I just want to be human. : :

Moments

continued from page 18 GS: A recent Facebook Live post that you did featured your gorgeous dog, Mercury. What can you tell the readers about your fur baby?

DFZ: I always dreamed about having a standard poodle. My mother worked at a veterinary hospital growing up and we had a cockapoo. Once you go poodle, you become loyal to the breed. When we finished renovating our house, that was the first thing Kristin wanted to add to our American dream, a furry child. We found Mercury at a rescue in Ohio. It was so rare that she was at a rescue while having her AKC papers.

We were told a wealthy woman bought her and got her fixed to prevent her from becoming a breeder mom and gave her to the rescue when she was just months old. Mercury loves house music and is our biggest fan! She sits in all our sessions and her bark even made it into our song “Hollow.”

GS: Are you planning to do more Facebook Live shows during the COVID-19 lockdown?

KS: Sure are! Just announced, we are performing for a

Curve Magazine virtual concert. We recently got another offer and are currently working out the details. We just got a box that lets our DSLR camera work as our webcam and are running the audio in via firewire with a mixer. When we go forward with a project, we go all in. Quality always comes first!

GS: The pandemic is giving a lot of people the chance to dance as if nobody’s watching. What songs are you both dancing to these days?

KS: The Blaze’s “Territory,” Lorn’s “Acid Rain” and “It’s Only”

by Odesza, Zyra and Rufus Du Sol. GS: Several Pride festivals have been canceled or postponed. Was Dance Loud booked to perform at any, and if so, have you heard anything about rescheduled dates?

DFZ: Yes, we are booked for Backlot Bash (in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood), a big yearly after-Pride event. So far, it is not canceled yet. Fingers crossed! : :

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